Ford's Focus is a cornerstone of its European lineup. Sales have been good despite tough economic conditions. Photo credit: Ford Motor Co.

Like most automakers doing business in the Old World, Ford (F -1.66%) has had a rough time in Europe in recent years. Deep recessions in major European markets have driven new-car sales to lows not seen in decades. Ford lost over $1.7 billion in Europe last year -- bad enough that Ford CEO Alan Mulally launched a full-scale restructuring for Ford Europe last fall.

Ford says the losses won't end until 2015, but things have been getting better as those restructuring moves have started to bear fruit. Now, as Motley Fool contributor John Rosevear explains in this video, Ford's turnaround might be getting some help -- auto sales in Europe are finally, slowly, on the rise.